Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-17
HOME DUTIES.

l think we will all answer at once
that depends upon circumstances. Goo
has put us in the world, and appointed
each one to our place. To one come
ease and luxury. Care seems but g
chance visitant. While to another
perhaps even a sister of this favored
one. cares fall thick and fast-one bur.
den succeeding another so rapidly that
it seems impossible for her to help bear
another's burden, so heavy is her own.
DO we not all know some women whose
burden of home cares is so great that il
would be folly to add to them bv any
attempt at outside work? Perhaps
such an one would like to help along in
the Masters work. If she does her
home work faithfully and conscien-
tiorsly, who shall say she is not work
ing in a good cause-eyen His own?
But while we agree that few women
have no opportunity for outside work,
let us each look at our busy lives, and
see if all this home care is necessary,
that we make no mistake between the
work God gives us and what we make
ourselves. God gives us our homes,
and it is our duty. indeed, to make
them happy homes; but do we not
sometimes lose sight of the home-keep-
ing in the housekeeping? Of course,
we like to have our houses bright and
clean; but are we sure that room needs
to be swept so often, or that porch
scrubbed as often as we do the kitchen
table, or do we do it lest our neighbors
''might talk" and we lose the reputation
of being Zone of the best housekeepers?'
We like to have our tables tractive,
and our meals appetizing. but to have
them so do we need to bake so many
pies and cakes?-especially when we
are assured. by those who ought to
know. that they do us much harm and
little good?
Are we sure, too, that in the domain
of sewing our cOnSciences are quite
clear? Do we need to put so much
work on our own and our children 5
clothing; or would we and they not be
quite as comfortable, and look as well
with little less work? know Chris
tan mothers who have money to spend
for beautiful clothing, and find time to
make it deliberately, who have
neither time or money-they say
for helping any good cause that
is presented to them. Would it not at
least be wiser to spend less time on our
bodies. which perish. and have more to
spend in advancing the best interests of
our own soul and that of our neighbor?
Let us remember that housekeeping
does not consist alone in housekeeping.
but has broader meaning than that.
Shall we spend all our time keeping the
atmosphere of the house pure and
bright, and not lift finger to purify
the moral atmosphose of the COM
munity? What shall it profit us il
We keep our house spotless and our
children immaculate if we allow 4
stream of impure literature to over
flow our town without an effort to re.
press it? Or, if we let a saloon-witl
its significant sign of Exchange
flaunt itself in the face of our boys
every time they 60 on the streets. and
make no effort to repress it? sex.
change" Did you hear of what they
want to exchange? Plenty for perjury
Joy for sorrow. smiles for signs and
means, and everlasting life and bliss
for everlasting shame and woe. Oar,
we look at such signs and not do oul
very best to have the owners compelled
to lower them. ami cease to make theil
living by causing the death of theil
fellOw-man?
In the busiest life there is one thing
we can all do. We can constantly lift
up our hearts to God in prayer. in mucf
faith. that he will bless the work ant
ali workers, and | am sure it will moi
belong until the way will be opened fol
us to .'lend hand" in the great work
But. after we decide that we do nc
more house work than is absolutely
necessary, make rs little sewing fol
ourselves as is possible, read as little as
we can not to be starved mentally
and spiritually. are we sure tina,
there is no way in which we car
find time for outside work? Perhap.
we keep up large calling acquaint
ance. Could We not for the sake o.
the Masters work drop few of these
mere acquaintances. and take the
time spent in formal calling in lending
a hand to the rescue of the perishing,
or. what is still better, in devisins
plans for the young. that there be no
so many pitfalls for their unwary feet
As we look at those who are taking
an active part in the war that is beins
waged against sin and death. we Dc
not find that they are always thos.
who we would say had most time t,
spare from home duties. Look a